Champions League, Matches - Written by BlueChampion on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 6:28 | 1,756 Views | 81 Comments | Add Comment
Fenerbahce vs Chelsea | 02-Apr-08 @ 19:45 UK
I’d be watching Arsenal vs Liverpool tomorrow night. Not because we are playing so poorly but because our match is not televised by my satellite channel provider. I’ll be in BC Shout just to get updates from those guys who are able to watch the match live. Turkey is a tough place to get results. But it is better than travelling to Anfield or Emirates or Old Trafford or Camp Nou or even Stadio Olimpico, right?
We have the quality and depth in our team to notch a win in both but we might very well have a tired first choice team as they have been playing every Barnsley, Derby, Spurs and Arsenal around. Good thing is Fener have also played a high intensity match on Saturday against Besiktas. Fener has the momentum though as they are now topping the league table, thanks to a fantastic away win over fellow-contenders Besiktas last weekend. One thing you can be sure about is that Fener will not fear Chelsea or their players and their credentials. I don’t think that Zico’s teams would fear any other team. Zico must be observing Chelsea and their frailities, he would know where we are vulnerable and how to make the Chelsea shoulders drop. He would be trying to find the similarities and common factors in our matches against the top 8 premier league teams and also the cup exits.
Zico is not looking for a draw. He’s made it quite clear that they want to beat Chelsea in their home leg. As we have seen of late, all those teams that are very determined with strong mentality have troubled us and mostly have got some reward. Of course Fener have some quality players but how many of them would make it to the Chelsea eleven if they were to be in our squad? That tells you the gulf between the quality of the players in these two teams. But as we know, by experience too, that a bunch of top quality players does not make a team. The vice versa is also true. When someone like Zico is managing a good team, where every second players is a Brazilian, you gotta be careful.
I have always talked about why we should revert to 4-4-2 this season. As you know, Four-Four-Two is the most balanced of formations. It is most suited for someone like Grant who is not especially a tactical genius. 4-4-2 gives the right amount of weightage and distributions for all functions on the pitch. Anything other than a 4-4-2 would require better and more co-ordination, understanding of one’s role and also that of colleagues. I’ve said this before. many times this season I could sense some kind of ’stagantion of play’ which is caused by the poor tactics or the the poor execution of tactics. Players like Essien, Ballack and sometimes the fullbacks have all come under this ‘to attack or to defend’ or ‘what do we do now’ conundrum. Against weaker oppositions, we have too much individual quality to lose by poor tactics, whereas we are exposed by stronger outfits or atlseast by those outfits with stronger mentality.
Knowing how Drogba flourished in 4-4-2 with Sheva alongside him, I wouldn’t think twice about pairing Drogba and Anelka in a 4-4-2. My guess about why Grant sticks only to 4-3-3 is that he wants to play Joe Cole and he thinks that he plays best in the wings or Joe Cole himself wants to play only as a winger. Anelka as a winger is no-brainer. If you put Anelka int he wings, he is going to score the odd goal or make the odd assist but still Anelka as a winger is a double blunder - one is you’re not getting the best out of a top striker, another is you’re getting less output when compared to what a genuine winger can provide in that position. Also Grant wants to play both Ballack and Lampard, having seen some success from their partnership. To play both Ballack and Lampard in a 4-3-3 may not quite consistently work against better teams. In a 4-4-2 or a 4-1-2-1-2, we can play Ballack, Lampard, Essien and Joe Cole, with either Cole or Ballack as the attacking tip.
My playing eleven for tomorrow would be: Cudicini, Terry, Carvalho, Belletti, Ashley Cole, Makelele, Ballack, Joe Cole, Lampard, Drogba and Anelka. The bench should be Anelka, Essien, Alex, Mikel, Malouda, Kalou and Hilario. Having said all this, knowing Grant, I think he would put out this team: Cudicini, Terry, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Paulo Ferreira, Makelele, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Joe Cole and Drogba. The bench might have Anelka, Essien, Alex, Bridge, Shevchenko. There is also some news that Grant has decided to rest Drogba for this game and would play with the Anelka as the lone striker (add to that left winger and right winger). Lampard also seems to be doubtful but I hope he plays. I don’t feel comfortable if both Drogba and Lampard don’t play. When we have Lampard, Terry and Drogba - all in the game, 9/10 times they’ll get us out of the jail. If we concede a second half lead to Fener, we should have enough strong characters to keep the nerves and turn the game around.
I’d love to see Shevchenko play a part but he has not played in many weeks now. I don’t think he can be played now at this stage of the competition without sufficient match practice. Looks like Ivanovic would make his first team Chelsea debut only in the next season. He is playing for the reserves tonight so that’s a reassurance that he is still a Chelsea player. And yes, Di Santo also plays in the reserve team. I happened to see the video of Di Santo goal in one of the reserve team matches that he played a few days back. That was a cracking goal, a belter from about 20 yards from a very tight angle. May be he should have featured against Barnsley, at least the pain would have been less, if the result were to be the same.
Let’s talk about ‘hell’ now. ‘Hell’ is how the Fener fans call their stadium. I read that this reference started after the banner that shouted ‘this is hell’ in a Galatasaray vs Man Utd match in 1993. Their stadium (a name that I could very easily mis-spell) is supposed to be one of the most noisy and hostile crowds. I’m reminded of the hype around Estadio Mestalla where we’ve beaten Valencia twice now in two seasons and even Rosenborg managed to beat them there this season. It shows that such hype could put pressure on the home team to win rather than putting pressure on the away team. But, in Fener’s case it won’t be true. Like Kezman put it, if they lose no one will take notice but if they win history will record it in golden letters. Very true. Despite all the hype about how difficult their stadium is for the travelling teams, they are the underdogs for this tie and Chelsea are undoubtedly the favourites.
I’m very keen to know what would be Avram’s strategy for this match: (i) to come out with a draw (ii) to score the away goal (iii) to win the match. If it’s option (i), we might see a repeat of away leg at Olympiakos and Schalke. I just can’t think of watching another such match. God, please. You’d see Maka, Mikel and Essien getting lots of playing minutes. You’ll see the players not willing to go forward at pace. You’ll see Joe Cole subbed. If it’s option (ii), it should be a very attacking starting eleven with some particularly defence-minded substitutes. I’d imagine that we would see out a quiet first half and then try to score that away in the second half. I understand Fener are not the youngest group and fatigue does hit them sooner than it could hit Chelsea. I could see a pacy counter attack in the seconde half settling the issue. In option (iii), we should have avery balanced team. I’m not sure if Grant is looking at a win. I think he would be happy with a 1-1 draw.
Defensively, we are one of the best teams in this edition of champions league. When the top guns find it difficult to score against us, I don’t see Fener walking off that easily with a goal. Their style would suit us well in a champions league away match. They score a lot but also concede a lot. They just look at outscoring rather than trying to keep a cleansheet. With this kind of approach, when they meet a team of superior quality, it could prove disastrous for them.
I really feel upbeat about this match. If we see a decent performance from Chelsea, we should cruise to 2-0. If we play like the Barnsley game, we could lose very easily and heavily. If we play like the Arsenal game, we could draw. For once I wouldn’t mean if we play like the Villa game. Final prediction: 2-0, sorry we have too much quality to get anything less.
81 Comments
1. AGFriend's foe
2. FR6
so you think you are arguing? don’t you know that no one here respects you. all that you do is bashing JM and our team. why don’t offer constructive criticism for a change. what would be your advice to AG for the rest of the season? keep away from the legend that is JM and his achievements, just talk about what we need to do for the rest of the season.
3. FR6
@1 - it’s obvious he was referring to this season. last few seasons we were feared especially WHEN WE HAD A FULLY FIT SQUAD.
4. AGFriend's foe
@2.’don’t you know that no one here respects you’…as if I am craving fro your respect…
‘why don’t offer constructive criticism for a change’..so bashing(infact abusing) ‘toad’ is constructive but bashing Mourinho is not..what a biased view…did I ever used abusive words for Mourinho…nopes…THOUGH HE WAS ONE WHO COMMENTED ON RONALDO’S BACKGROUND…
and for the rest of the season we must play proper football and start thinking of new players to replace Mourinho’ cement sacks…
5. FR6
again you proved how much you can discuss. you can’t think beyond JM abuses and player bashings - i judged you well! lol!
6. AGFriend's foe
@3….I know he was referring to this season….
‘last few seasons we were feared’..nopes…its simply that now teams know to tackle hoof-the-ball style of ours…they know we don’t know how to play on ground and create chances…they know if they are able to nullify our set pieces then we r as good as any other mid-table team….
7. AGFriend's foe
@5…’you can’t think beyond JM abuses’..really…please tell me which words of mine are abusive to Mourinho…don’t spread lies here….if these words are abusive then what category words being used for ‘toad’ falls under,i wonder…surely criticise ‘toad’ in right ernest but then don’t term Mourinho’s criticism as abusive….its nothing short of dictatorship..don’t be that biased…I have also criticised ‘toad’ and I would like him to be replaced asap but I also held Mourinho equally responsible for our problems…infact I don’t regard ‘toad’ as a manager so really can’t expect much from him…but I expected something from Mourinho which he didn’t deliver due to his stubborness and obsession…
8. blabliblublu
stop babbling over mourinho and grant………..
talk somethin about the game……..
9. BlueFan nr:1
we will fvckin eat the turks
10. Nihongo Blue
M_D
Whats going in istanbul mate ???
11. tim
@7 - yes, why don’t you talk about the match for a change!
12. AGFriend's foe
@11…I would always comment abt team I support, match or no match…and anyways any team related comment is connected to match itself as team is going to play the match…
13. Nihongo Blue
please nobody stop AGF foe today as its 1st april “Fools Day”. No wonder you are in such prolific form. nice joke @12
14. Arun
Tomorrow’s game is a must win game.We should go with this formation 4-3-3 (Sorry Avarm only knows this Formation, 4-4-2 is good for next season with a new Manager)
Sub:- Cudicini, sheva(plz use him),Anelka,Essien,Malouda.
Formation:- 4-3-3
Cech
Bellitti — Terry — Carvalho —- A. Cole
—————Makalele—————-
——Ballack————Lampard——-
J.Cole ———- Kalou
————- Drogba——————-
15. I am a footy player
tomorow is going to be ok, I cant see the OAPs of fener winning the game at all.
Fener would have a chance if they could win 2-0, even that they will be disposed in SB, cant see any other way. Fener players are too old for chelsea squad. But I dont think AG will have any influence in the match, he maybe asking TC or SC for solutions, and with the players saying that they prefer the CL to the EPL, they will give everything and good bye Fener.
16. TBF
@Joseholiday
TBF @ 29
*I think I will be accepted instantly , u see I am much more physically attractive than Mr Toady .
Also I think I can give JM a run for his money in the good-looks department.
thanks for coming out with this wonderful criteria that to be accepted you have to look good………thanks Joseholiday do you know how much this comment humiliates you?if it doesn’t then read it when you are not drunk.
*All I have to tell JM lovers is that I’m warming the bench till someone else comes along.
surely……..would you do that?????
*And I’ll also tell ‘em if Chelsea loses it’s cos of my stupidity ,and RA
oh just brilliant………your logic surpasses everyone
*but if Chelsea wins it’s cos of the players and the fans and all my superior assistants and the mascot.
oh really you find yourself to be that bad……you are really a case between inferiority complex and superiority complex.
*But if we draw, it’s cos of the weather , bird flu and player indigestion.
do you know i haven’t stopped laughing…….just read this line once you are not drunk…….trust me you will be laughin at your own statement.
*And I shall sleep soundly at night unlike panda-eyed AG !
thanks for letting everyone know the biggest criteria for manager,that you are incapable of making a sane discussion and how completely illogical you are along with your footy knowledege
17. TBF
@Everyone
i have this weird feeling that fenerbahce is not going to be walk in the park…….just a gut feeling if you ask me.
cudicini
ferreira
carvalho
terry
ashley
essien
makelele/mikel
lampard
joe
anelka
drogba
18. AGFriend's foe
its going to be a draw….
19. TBF
Seriously,poor lil’ jose’s is in lot of trouble………….porto is being faced for match fixing during his era.
20. ]{
like ur formation TBF but dun think AG’s gonna use that, dunno why he hasnt realized it yet.. sigh
21. TBF
@BC
The match is on zee sports live from 1 am in thursday morning………i guess you are havin tata sky otherwise dish provides or just blast your cable-wallah to provide it.
you can anyway check the goals during half time and after the match end on ten sports.
22. TBF
@]{
it’s risky to turn formation at this point of season……..anyways i don’t know what’s the problem with 4-3-3 caus everybody was blamin diamond last year around and in the beginning of season everybody wanted 4-3-3 including BC.
23. blabliblublu
hows ths chelsea???
chelsea fc 2008-2009
coach:Frank Rijkaard
asstnt coach:steve clark
————————-mario gomez/—huntelaar(martins)/——————-
————————–di santo/———klasnic/————————–
————————————sahar————————————-
——————————————————————————
——————————————————————————
–kalou/————-essien/————-diego/————-joe cole/———
-diego capel———mikel/————–modric/———–scott sinclair—–
———————lulinha————-de guzman—————————-
——————————————————————————
——————————————————————————
——————————————————————————
-ashley cole/——–alex/—————terry/————–dani alves/——
-ryan bertrand——alcides————-ivanovic—————rafinha——–
——————————————————————————
——————————————————————————
—————————————————————————— —————————cech/ ——————————–
———————————cech/ustari———————————-
——————————————————————————
——————————————————————————
sorry 2 say ths mates
jose wll take lamps drogba and ricci 2 inter milan
so we need some fresh faces in the team
24. blabliblublu
swap anelka 4 ofabemi martins if we dont get huntelaar
cech needs some competition 2 get max out of him
hows the new right backs. the best of the best brazilian rbacks
25. vatsal
@ blabliblublu
Riki has signed a 5yr contract along with Ferreira
they are not to leave for sure
and there is no Ballack -dont think he is to retire next season there
and there is gonna be no mass exodus
uve changed the whole stucture of the team
This aint a Ea Sports FIFA 08 game
where u create ur club
In reality ,nothing like this will happpen that tooooo in one season itself
26. tim
joseholiday - TBF has no sense of humour. He didn’t get your drift.
27. smicer
TBF - why do you think a change of formation is a risky turn now. in the last few seasons, we have played in multiple formations in one match, many times. starting with 442, changing to 433, attacking with 352 and gung ho with 424 and even an unbelievable 235.
28. FR6
TBf correct your statement. porto is being enquired, not jose. what about lil capello, lil lippi etc?
29. caglaa
Of COURSE Fenerbahce is going to win the game in our home leg. someone says at the top that you are going to eat f.ckin Turks but you can’t… see ya:)
30. FR6
Roma could beat manu tonight. Theyre the better team so far.
31. ok
1
32. footballguy
football guy is bac babay. wooooooo!!!!!!!
great man utd result in rome. if (continue 2 bore me 2 death, disullioned by claimin 2 play “good” football)chelski dnt win this tie ,u will neva win da trophy. nt lyk ull win it neways.
33. SH.IBRAHIMI
i don’t think we’ll lose tomorrow it’s important to score a goal and then we’ll destroy them in our fortress Stamford Bridge .. but if they attack us from the beggining and try to beat us we can do the job in the first leg cos they’re defence in just awful it will be very very dissapointing if we dont score at least a goal against that defence tomorrow so i think a 2-0,2-1 for us even a 1-1 draw would be good result so i would like this formation for tomorrow :
——————————-Cudicini————————————–
———Belleti———-Carvalho————-Terry————-A.Cole——
———————————-Maka/Essien——————————–
———————Lamps————————Ballack——————–
———Joey————————————————-Anelka———
——————————-Drogba—————————————-
so i would prefer Anelka instead of Kalou for tomorrow .. c’mon u BLUES
34. AGFriend's foe
@33….’but if they attack us from the beggining’..thats the whole problem with us…as soon as someone goes in fourth gear against us we capitulate…even lowly placed teams are hurting us…is there something wrong with our defence…one thing which I can see for sure is that our central defenders are a bit slow, Terry for sure….and hence pacy players like Abganlahor or Lennon has troubled us…
35. Arun
Avram is a lucky man otherwise he will not be managing a top Class Club like chelsea, also last week game against Middlesbrough he escaped with three point’s.
Every AVRAM HAS A YEAR. THIS IS AVRAM Grant’s Year,Today we will win the game in a Style(Thank’s to our player’s and Steve Clark”) .This year champion’s league is made for chelsea,Final at Moscow (Roman’s Home City) with Lucky Avram Grant(Stupid) ,we will beat BARCA at Moscow, dream Final with our European Rival Barca.We will win the game in penalty shoot out and for first time cech’s career at chelsea he will save two penalty Kick’s LOL LOL…And We Will be the Champion’s Of Europe….. LOL Haaaa…
Next day Chelsea Will make Avram Grant as our new director of football(a good move,because we need a lucky man at club and good new manager) and Drogba , lampard, Sheva, Ricky will be given Farewell.
36. AGFriend's foe
@35….’also last week game against Middlesbrough he escaped with three point’s.’….but then thats what Mourinho fans used to preach…three points, no matter how…isn’t..so Grant is also sticking to same tradition of Mourinho but u still abusing him…LOLOL….so get striaght what u really want..
37. TBF
@FR6
No, FR6 On the contrary i have a good sense of humour if humour is worth it…….the post by joseholiday is what i would have posted as A SATIRE without a change.
i found arun’s post funny and honestly i found joseholiday’s post……..i was laughin i mentioned it
38. TBF
TBF - why do you think a change of formation is a risky turn now. in the last few seasons, we have played in multiple formations in one match, many times. starting with 442, changing to 433, attacking with 352 and gung ho with 424 and even an unbelievable 235.
@smicer
i am taking about default formation that had been 4-3-3,the formations you have mentioned have been tried during the game
39. Arun
@36 AGFriend’s foe
What i really want to say is that even if we win Champion’s league this year
Avram Grant should be sacked , we need a new manager with a footballing Brain, we should win game’s by playing in field not by LUCK,we should KILL Opponent before they start attacking us.
40. Den
we need to keep a clean sheet, i will go for a 4-1-2-1-2 formation.
——————-Cech—————–
—Ferriera—Terry—Carvalho—Cole—
—————Makelele—————–
———-Essien——-Lampard———-
—————–j.Cole—————–
———-Anelka——–Drogba———
41. JoseHoliday
TBF
I am flabbergasted by your deconstruction of my post.
I shall copy/paste it on to a clipboard on my desktop and pray that one day the meaning of your reply shall burst forth and reveal itself to me .
LOL LOL LOL
42. Owonatty
My Prediction and Lineup
probable team
Cudicini
Ferreira
Calvaho
Terry
Ashley Cole
Makalele
Essien
Lampard
Joecole
Kalou
Anelka
Subs: Cech(if fit),Alex,Shevy,Mikel and SWP
Drogba and Ballack should be rested for Mancity game at the weekend.
prediction: 1-1 or 2-1(we won)
Go Blues
43. JoseHoliday
I think we shall win tonight :
not cause of any fancy “football knowledge and tactics “like that espoused by TBF and some other amateur hacks on this blog and their guru in the sky Mr AG Toady.
not because we are a far superior team and a costly one at that too !
not because of luck or a referee’s mistake
but because of true grit,team spirit and HUGE BALLS.
These are somethings that AG , his toadies on the blog , RA and his Kenyonesque supporters on this bog shall never understand.
KTBFFH ( and away from shysters like above ! )
44. Anonymous
shevxhenkooooooooooo
45. smicer
my question remains. if we have changed multiple formations so effectively during a match, why is changing default formation so risky?
46. FR6
lol joseholiday. comment 41 was brilliant
47. AGFriend's foe
@43…’but because of true grit,team spirit and HUGE BALLS.’…LOL…another Mourinho stooge….team spirit?what the heck is this when Drogba everyday makes exit noises….true grit,same which Mourinho’s cement sacks showed against Middlesborough…its not called team grit, its called wilting under pressure….HUGE BALLS,yeah surely Drogba must be having them after 3 seasons of oralxxx with Mourinho….
48. FR6
AGFF (comment 47) is another one of Grant’s stooges. Ignore him.
We have a great team under a brainless twat as manager. Players win the matches that Grant tries to lose. If players get better than Grant, Chelsea wins. Otherwise we lose.
49. AGFriend's foe
@48…LOLOL….u asked to ignore me and then urself write a counter comment….means my comments are unignorable…
50. FR6
how stupid and silly can you be? i’m posting a topical comment to answer grant’s stooges.
you think the world revolves around you? start making sense.
51. trueblue
we’ve conceded only two goals in this season’s champions leaague
52. AGFriend's foe
@50…u again contradicted urself by replying to my comment as u asked for ignoring any of my comment…haha….u keep falling into trap…how stupid and silly can you be?…LOLOL….
53. Ashton
AGFF - the when there is a mad nude streaker running around in the road, he gets the attention that you get here.
54. Smicer
AGFF must be 12 yrs old. Getting excited about little things.
Ashton @ 53 - fantastic comment lol . . .
55. AGFriend's foe
@53….so y don’t u ignore the streaker…or is it that seeing him u r realising the truth we all r naked under our clothes….
56. AGFriend's foe
@54….so ignore a 12 years old kid…y r u so bothered with a kid’s comments that u keep have to comment back…or is it that truth in kid’s comments really hurts…
57. TBF
@Joseholiday
*TBF
I am flabbergasted by your deconstruction of my post.
I shall copy/paste it on to a clipboard on my desktop and pray that one day the meaning of your reply shall burst forth and reveal itself to me .
LOL LOL LOL
I Will just continue LOL LOL LOL……….my deconstruction of your post was simply to show you that how you write everything devoid of sense,logic and intelligence completely.
Like Bella and BC they at least provide decent conversations,arguments while your logic is filled “believe it because of i’m saying so”.actually ask BC if he can defend you on your comment.
@Ashton
again you are trying to prove yourself superior and other mourinho lovers by insisting that”he is 12 years old”…..”i am intelligent and 30+” sort of post.
when you run out of any counter argument……….it’s better you just disappear instead of pushing yourself in such humiliating positions where all you manage “he is 12 years old and let’s ignore him”
58. TBF
@Everyone
see guys and lady[for bella],no one here who is blasting jose is supporting avram……….everyone wants him out if he doesn’t give results but personally i can’t tolerate crap comments made by many posters who have this hidden fantasy of getting jose their master back.
59. TBF
@smicer
because it’s not fantasy footy or football manager……………players take time to adjust to their new roles and we are at a crucial juncture of season
60. longrange
Chak De Chelsea!
61. bluesluv
ok……. wow so…..
my take is that ag is an average manager….. for an above average team… therefore to stay he must
up his game…..
my formation wud be—–
Cud
Ashley
ricardo
JT
Belleti
Makalele
Ballack—Lamps
—J.c—–
anelka—drog
someone already mentioned this one i think
nd @ AGFF
wow dude lots of time on ur hands — almost vry 2nd post is urs
u gather more controversy than JM or Drogs!!!
62. JoseHoliday
TBF , stop embarassing yourself !
63. Nihongo Blue
@JoseHoliday
keep that humour coming. Thats the originality i see here . Gambatte kudasai
64. Nihongo Blue
this is the blog which we all love. i begin my day with this blog seeing all your comments. Lets concentrate on football talks.
cheers
65. Nihongo Blue
jiko has pointed cudacini as the weak link and kezman as usual speaks shit.i think cudacini will prove them wrong. What ever hostile environment in istanbul we have too profesional players to handle it. Shouldnt be a problem and the return leg is in our own back yard.
Much hasnt been heard of alex their captain but from M_D talks looks like the real threat. Makalele has a job on his hands to deal with him
Talks are there anelka will be a lone striker upfront. He is accostomed there has played 18 months there… good bet i say. but will prefer 442 with drogs and anelka upfront. SWp may be handy as a sub for those tired old legs for a blast of 10-15mins as a winger not for finishing.RB should be ferriera.
Its telecasted late here at 4 am here will still try to be here.
cheers… hope we get the crucial away goals.. any score lines is ok. Welcome to SB u turks .. wll show u what football is
66. Nihongo Blue
@BC
nice thoughts in the atricle. I wish grant reads it.
But sheva hasnt even traveled there.
67. JoseHoliday
Nihongo Blue !you do the footy talk that I am horrible at
while I continue to prowl the sidelines and have fun with the anti-JM camp.
Oh by the way , To whom it may concern:
Sometimes it is so easy to get some people upset over nothing.
DANCE ! you puppets, DANCE !
68. Smicer
TBF @ 59 how come we changed formations so easily in the last few seasons, during the match?
69. its foot+ball, not air+ball
Many fans still expecting that Sheva will perform..LOLOL…forget him guys…he is another sacrifice made to Mourinho’s ‘effective’ football..
70. Syed
We’ll get hammered if we under-estimate Fenerbahce at their backyard. There’s no two ways about it. The last English team to go there - Manchester United - lost 3-0 in Istanbul. I still think it’s a worse draw than Schalke, Arse-Anal, Roma & Barcelona. It’s a better draw than Manchester United & Liverpool (because of their record against us in this competition - not because of their performances this season!)
71. Syed
This will be my team for the Champions League Quarter Finals 1st Leg:
CARLO
BELLETTI-JT(c)-RICCY-ASHLEY
MAKA
ESSI-BALLACK
JOEY-NICO-KALOU
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Subs in 2nd half: DROGS (NICO). If we are ahead/level: OBI (BALLACK), MALOUDA (KALOU). If we are behind: LAMPS (MAKA), SHEVA (BELLETTI) & change to 4-4-2.
72. Syed
If possible, I will rest Cech & Lamps and will not start with them after their injuries at an away match at one of the most hostile stadiums in Europe. I will also start with Nico rather than Drogs, as he is used to playing here after his time in Istanbul. Drogs, Lamps & Cech should be definite starters at the Home match if they are fit.
73. Syed
Prediction: Fenerbahce 1-1 Chelsea
(Nico,Kezman)
C’mon you Chels!
74. komso
you are the best football club in the world. I and my friends will suport you in the next match with fenerbache. This is from croatia from your fans in KASTEL NOVI. GOD BYE
75. Anonymous
my predicted line up
4-3-3(only thing avram knows)
——————-cudicini——————
ferreira—-carvalho—-terry—–cole
—————-maka—————–
——-ballack——–lampard————
—-J.cole———————-kalou
————–drogba——————-
i predict 1-1
MY CHELSEA TEAM 08-09
————————cech——————
ALVES———carvalho——–terry—-cole
————essien—–lampard———-
—–J.cole—————-QUARESMA——–
————–VILLA–BENZEMA—————–
76. Nick
My predicted lineup:
—————-Cech——————
Belletti—-Carvalho—-Terry—–Cole
————–Makelele—————-
——–Essien———Ballack——–
Cole—————————–Kalou
————–Drogba——————
Subs:
Cudicini
Alex
Ferreira
Lampard
Mikel
Wright-Phillips
Anelka
My 08-09 team:
—————-Cech—————
Alves—-Carvalho—-Terry—–Cole
——– Essien——Ballack——-
Cole———————Ronaldinho
———Villa——-Huntelaar—–
77. TURKISH FANATICS
‘all those teams that are very determined with strong mentality have troubled us and mostly have got some reward.’…you just revealed how much ‘world class’ our squad is….
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